Court Rejects Google’s Bid to Delay Play Store Changes

• A U.S. appeals court denied Google’s request to pause reforms to its Play Store, upholding an antitrust ruling in favor of Epic Games.

Appeals Court Upholds Antitrust Injunction

Google’s attempt to further delay a court-ordered overhaul of its Play Store has been rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Epic Games, which accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payments on Android devices. In 2023, a San Francisco jury sided with Epic, prompting U.S. District Judge James Donato to issue an injunction requiring Google to restore competition. Among the mandated changes, Google must allow rival app stores within Play and permit alternative payment methods.

The appeals court concluded that Google failed to meet the legal threshold to justify a continued pause of the injunction. While some provisions must be implemented within 30 days, others allow up to 10 months for compliance. A separate order confirmed that the full court would not revisit the appeal, leaving Google with the option to petition the U.S. Supreme Court. In its response, Google expressed disappointment and reiterated concerns about potential risks to user privacy and platform security.

Epic’s Legal Strategy Gains Ground

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney welcomed the decision, stating that developers and consumers stand to benefit from increased competition. The injunction prohibits Google from paying device makers to preinstall its app store and from sharing Play Store revenue with other distributors. For three years, Google must also refrain from blocking in-app payment alternatives and allow users to access third-party app platforms. These measures aim to dismantle practices that the court found to reinforce Google’s market dominance.

In July, the appeals panel described the case record as “replete with evidence” of anticompetitive behavior. Google argued that the injunction was unprecedented and could create inconsistent legal standards between itself and Apple. Epic had previously filed a similar lawsuit against Apple but largely lost that case. Google maintains that the differing outcomes could result in unequal treatment under the law for the two tech giants.

Broader Implications for App Market Regulation

The court’s decision signals a shift in how digital marketplaces may be regulated in the future. Developers have long criticized the dominance of major app stores and the fees associated with in-app purchases. By upholding the injunction, the court has opened the door for alternative distribution models on Android. Google’s next move—whether to comply or escalate the case to the Supreme Court—could shape the trajectory of mobile app ecosystems.

Legal experts note that the ruling may influence ongoing debates about platform neutrality and consumer choice. The case also highlights the tension between security concerns and market openness, a balance that regulators continue to navigate. If the Supreme Court declines to intervene, Google will be required to implement significant structural changes to its Play Store. These reforms could redefine how users interact with apps and how developers reach their audiences.